Re: [IceHorses] Dilemma
On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:51:56 +, you wrote: >then I honestly turned to him and said "if this mare was in my herd and the >animal inspector came to my place I would get a warning" I said and looked him >in the eye´s. I told the owner of the chestnut mare exactly the same thing - basically I said "if she did not have such a heavy coat, so people on the bridleway only 50m away could see her clearly, you would be reported to the RSPCA." Knowing the person concerned, the mare will not be fed more, just moved away from the bridleway. Sigh Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
Re: [IceHorses] Dilemma
On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:32:47 -0600, you wrote: >If not, keep an eye on the horses as much as possible and keep going for >visits and just go out and throw them hay (if there is some available). > Trouble is, it's 5 hours drive from me. I've not had a reply to the email asking about her. > >What are your animal protection laws like over there? Not bad for horses. I'll wait a bit, and if I don't hear anything, I will report the horses. : ( Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
Re: [IceHorses] Dilemma
Mic Hard situation. Seems they have the 'right' answers.however you could ask what is their next step since what they have done is not working. We had a 14 horse barn, wealthy clients, whose horses were boney...all the time. We mentioned it every 6 weeks...we watched as they fed those arabs mabye 8-10 lbs a day of straight alfalfa, no salt, no mineral...we quit. We could not keep working at a barn whose owners were so cruel. As they ate great meals daily, had hired help whenever they wanted it and drove big expensive cars. We did our best to help those horses, but when we figued we were not helping we had to quit, we just could not be a part of their sickness. She even bred a marfe and kept that poor colt locked up in a 12 x12 stall with its dam for about 5 weekspoor thing...of course she wanted top dollar to sell it...she wanted $7,000 for a 4 month old colt because the coat was pretty, a pinto color. She never sold it. If we have to we have cut cane grass for our horses during drought so that they could have fresh feed with the alfalfa I have to purchase them. Some people just should not ever own an animal to care for or breed themselves. Skye tropicaltreks.com 808-443-6085 Fire Island Professional Farrier Service-640-6080
Re: [IceHorses] Dilemma
On Tue, Mar 25, 2008 at 06:28:51PM +, Mic Rushen wrote: > What would you do if you visited someone you have known very well for > many years, and found several horses so thin they are bordering on > emaciated (even though the person has plenty of feed, and plenty of > money), kept in an exposed field, with no shelter? Someone who claims > to be a "natural horse trainer who takes in and rehabs horses no-one > else can ride" yet who finds most of their own horses impossible to > catch? Whose partner rides in a bitless bridle, but has such wicked > hands that the horse is still in pain? i'd call the mspca. --vicka
Re: [IceHorses] Dilemma
Hi Mic I had this experience last week when I went down to Reykjavik to ride with a friend and it turned out that the horse I was gonna ride was in a thin condition (brown gelding) and I pointed that out that "this horse shouldn´t get any thiner to just be able to build more mucles and so on." we are going toghter in a horse trip this summer 8 day´s long Then I saw the mare we was going to take with us in hand...I mare that has been in my place for two years ago then with a foal by the side my gosh! awful if you lay your hands on her side you could feel all ribb´s and tip your finger down between them!! then I honestly turned to him and said "if this mare was in my herd and the animal inspector came to my place I would get a warning" I said and looked him in the eye´s. yes I know she a little bit thin she was when we brought her in from winter pasture ect,ect and I said then you just simply have to give her food not just hay when she is in this condition she burns mucle´s not build them I said as I know he do work out a lot and know´s what I´m talking about (Im a former football player and alway´s talk about horses as an athlet to thoose that are working out having diet´s and that mostly turne´s out good) My friend don´t own this mare it´s another person (also a man) when the turned up in the stable my friend simply said hey! Malin don´t think we feed them enough! then the man walked up to my friends dun gelding and said this one is at least very fat I put my hand on the horse and said this is nothing you starw away you ride to build up mucles and with this fat on you will be faster to build him up vs the brown gelding you will have to feed him diffient so he can both build and burn in the same time! Hope it goes well for you Mic This is what I did but I don´t know yet if it worked Regards Malin www.kolugil.tk
Re: [IceHorses] Dilemma
On 25/03/2008, Mic Rushen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >The only thing you can do is present the facts in straight > >forward manner and try to stay calm no matter how they respond. > > I did that, but the person concerned always had an answer and a > justification > > I just emailed to ask how much for the chestnut mare. I keep seeing > her poor sad face. Mic, my experience with emaciated horses is that the owners are suffering some kind of break down. If you feel comfortable phoning the authorities...do so. If not, keep an eye on the horses as much as possible and keep going for visits and just go out and throw them hay (if there is some available). Animals need three things before they can be seized, food, shelter, and water. If they don't have one then that's a reason to seize them...at least here in Canada that's the case. What are your animal protection laws like over there? Wanda
Re: [IceHorses] Dilemma
On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:10:16 -0400, you wrote: >The only thing you can do is present the facts in straight >forward manner and try to stay calm no matter how they respond. I did that, but the person concerned always had an answer and a justification I just emailed to ask how much for the chestnut mare. I keep seeing her poor sad face. Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
Re: [IceHorses] Dilemma
On Tue, Mar 25, 2008 at 2:28 PM, Mic Rushen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > What would you do if you visited someone you have known very well for > many years, and found several horses so thin they are bordering on > emaciated (even though the person has plenty of feed, and plenty of > money), kept in an exposed field, with no shelter? This is part of the human nature that I will never understand - try as I might. The only thing you can do is present the facts in straight forward manner and try to stay calm no matter how they respond. If they get angry and shut you out, there is nothing you can do. Hopefully they just need the offer of a helping hand. If not, as heartbreaking as it is, you can only do so much. -- Laree in NC Doppa & Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the "S" gang) "Yet when all the books have been read and reread, it boils down to the horse, his human companion, and what goes on between them." - William Farley
RE: [IceHorses] Dilemma
> But - people who keep their horses there say they have already tried> to get > something done about the state of the owner's horses, and> nothing has > happened. That those horses are not being fed anything> extra, and don't > even get much haylage - and what they are fed is not> good quality. > Mic, if I were in your shoes, and this friend or friends of yours had these kinds of conditions for their own horses, my first thought is they are not very happy in their lives and they aren't energized in taking care of their horses, seeing them thrive and look healthy, but the ones in their care that I would assume they are being paid to care for, are looking well, then I would try to get them to find new homes for the horses and decrease their burden, as that is what it must be for them. The horses can't speak for themselves and if you are able to speak to these people honestly, then helping them to realize they are needing a break from their horses, even if it would be a free lease to other places so they don't have any work involved in the care, since money isn't the problem, a free lease might be the best way to maintain some control but none of the care. They might need a vacation from their horse lifestyle for a prolonged period to decide what direction they need to go to be happy. I see people buy farmettes here fairly frequently and burn out in less than 2 years, because the horse care becomes a ball and chain and they really can't enjoy their horses when they are the sole providers of care. Jeannette
Re: [IceHorses] Dilemma
This brought tears to my eyes, I'm not kidding. I have been in this circumstance with others a few times. It is so so hard. I have always said something, in a kind way. I have understood sometimes, they were taking bad vet advice or worried themselves, grasping at straws trying to figure it out. I have gone thru it myself with jaspar, turned out it was his teeth, to the tune of three different teeth jobs that cost a lot and all three did a lousy job etc. But I have had people lie to me, and say "I lost my pasture lease" and then found out they never had a pasture lease. I have always tried to help if they were people I knew and cared about. But when they lie and make crazy excuses I end up just losing all respect and walking away, trying to find good homes for horses when I can. But ironically usually people like this wont sell a horse cheap, oh no, they want top dollar for a starved lame sick horse, its just unreal. I have a friend with a paso. She is very very goey mare. She took her on a 50 mile endurance ride without any prep in the least. The mare was in enough condition from trail riding all the time that she passed vet checks. but she blew a tendon and is totally worthless now. I saw the woman last week. She says she doesnt have a horse anymore, are any of mine for sale. I told her no, they are like my children, and she says, get this "oh, I see you just like to spend all your money feeding horses." That infuriated me. How dare she judge me for having too many horses, all of them well tended as can be, its my money, and what would she have said if I had blurted back "If I sold a horse it would be to someone who didnt ride them into the dirt and then dump them crippled at auction" which she has done twice now. But everyone talks about them all the time, these people, and they get turned in, turned on by other decent horse people etc... sigh. I promise you this Mic, wont hurt anything at all for you to tell her how you feel in no uncertain terms because when its all said and done she'll remember at least you tried to be decent about it and you know she knows she is not doing the right thing! There is an old saying, "ask yourself three questions when you want to open your mouth and say something---1. is it true? 2. Is it kind? 3. Is it necessary?" janice-- even good horses have bad days sometimes.
Re: [IceHorses] Dilemma
Mic, Ugh.You're in a hard place. But the horses are in a harder one. It would seem your friend has the "correct" answers for all your questions. . . What if you pulled him/her out in the field and had the bare evidence standing before you while you discussed things further?I think it would be a lot harder then, and maybe at least, they would concede whatever they've done or are doing for the horses isn't working (obviously!) Are there other horses on their premises who AREN'T in this condition? Could it simply be a matter of the lowest horses in the herd aren't getting their fair share? Can you suggest maybe taking the horses home to your place over the summer to see if they might improve since the owner has obviously not had luck at getting weight on them?You could play up how wonderful your pasture is and that your animals are having trouble keeping up with it -- they'd be doing YOU a favor in helping you to keep it from becoming overgrown. . . You'll have to be careful and not make your friends defensive about the situation. . . Perhaps express your concern over how awful they'd feel if the horse(s) died and how willing you are help them in giving it a go at getting the horses back on track. I feel for ya. Nothing worse than having to walk on eggshells around a family member or friend in order to help an animal in need. It's quite an dance of diplomacy and tact to get the desired help to the animal. I could never be an SPCA officer here. . . I think they are allowed to carry guns and I'd shoot far too many violators. . . on the spot: "That your starving, beaten, mange-ridden, injured dog over there sir without any food or water sitting in the hot sun? Yes, it is?" Bam.Now it's my dog. -- Renee M. in Michigan who will always prefer the company of animals to most people
